Busted by Tropical Depression Danny, then not

Extra Tropical Depression Danny- Closed down many local beaches but otherwise was unremarkable. Here's a partial list of closings- Nahant, Revere, Nantasket, Horseneck, The Cut. Nauset Light Beach- I ended up with Jerry, Barry and a merry crew of kiters at Nauset Light Beach. I watched them having fun in the waves while they watched me schlogging on my windsurfer. It was supposed to be windy on the outer Cape! They were right about the torrential rain though. Waves were about shoulder high but I never got out that far. The wind was pretty onshore, not ideal direction. West Dennis- On the way home I drove thru a sudden burst of wind. The trees along the highway were doubled over backwards and the truck was bouncing around like some massive hand was slapping it. IWindsurf said it was blowing up to 53 at Kalmus. This was what I came for! I made a beeline for the nearest beach and got about an hour powered up at West Dennis, flat water. It was good to be powered but I really missed those waves at Nauset. Nauset Light Beach, Windsurfed, ESE, E, 10-20, 5.7/ Acid94, Jerry, Barry, others. West Dennis Beach, Windsurfed, S, 16-28, 5.2/ RW85, Chris E, others.

Busted by Hurricane Bill

The launch at Strong Island Landing, every place else was closed Hurricane Bill was supposed to come close enough to the Cape to shut down most of the ocean beaches but not close enough to give us the really big wind. But the forecasters weren't sure. It is a hurricane after all. I figured the potential was there for some wind if it veered or slowed a little. So I had to try to get some of what we got. It was an early morning session in gusty conditions, planing about half the time. That half felt great! Not what I had hoped for but it was really nice to have a sail in my hands again. Chatham- Strong Island Landing, Windsurfed, NNW, 10-22, Acid94/6.2, Solo

Kiting- How to get Hypothermia on a Hot Summer Day

Don't wear a wetsuit, because it's a hot steamy day (85 temp?) in the middle of Summer and your kiting in a bay, then float in the water endlessly, (dead high tide), trying to waterstart in light winds. I didn't get hypothermia but my teeth were chattering for an eternity after I finally flew the kite and made it back to the bank of seaweed shore. I covered myself in seaweed, like a blanket. By the time I had warmed up the wind had died and that was pretty much my session. Paul drove us out there in his boat because neither of us have an ORV pass. That's a really nice way to get our own secluded launch spot. Thanks Paul! It was fun, in spite of my struggles! Just being out on the water and doing something active makes me happy. I know I'm not normal. Duxbury Bay, Kitesurfed, SSE, 10-15, 12 M kite, 152 ply board, with Paul.

Kiting- I Don't Know Nothing

Waq Bay isn't just for kids, unknown kiter I love this sport! It's just what I had hoped for. Kiting makes a 10-15 MPH day seem intense, challenging, and completely exhausting, at least for this newbie. Signs of progress- I got my longest rides yet! I'm no longer trying to stay in the shallows. I'm bustin' out. On a few rides I even came back close to where I started. I think it was more luck than skill because my stance is still mostly a mess but I'll take what I can get. The feeling of intimidation that I got from my first 4 or 5 sessions is pretty much gone. What I need to fix- The mini wooden fins on my board aren't grippy enough. The board was sliding out a lot compared to Frank's Spleen Door 64. There are plenty of guys on the web who say you don't need fins at all. They must be on steroids. What worries me a little- People say that the most dangerous animal on the planet is a beginner kiteboarder who has learned just enough to think that he/she knows what they are doing. I want to avoid that trap. I keep telling myself, "I don't know nothing." Waquiot Bay, Kiteboarded, S, 8-18, 12M kite/ 152 ply board, Door 64, Frank, Sandie, Megan, others.

Have Kite, Got Skunked

Everyone said it was windy before I arrived. We've all heard that before. I used my 12M as a trainer kite in the shallows. I tried kite loops. I put the board on my feet and messed around. I stayed on plane for 1 run. Then it got too light even for Matt to keep his 17M in the sky.

Moral of the story- Skunks are a part of life. Nobody is immune. No matter how big the kite gear, we're still going to get bitten by them sometimes.

Waquiot Bay, Kite play, SE 5-12, 12M, with Frank, Jamie, Sammy, Matt